Hop On: As the Journey Begins - Tapa blanda

During her 18 years as a kindergarten teacher she developed a method of teaching that provides an excellent classroom atmosphere in which young children can excel in learning. She believes the first two weeks of school are very important because that is when the teacher sets the stage for an exciting, adventurous and memorable academic school year. During that time her students learned what acceptable behavior was in the classroom and while moving across campus as a group. Once they learned what was acceptable, the rest of the school year fell into place and the children were excited to learn. This drastically reduces discipline problems for the rest of the school year. She has mentored two teachers, at the request of her principal, using these methods and both continue to use them. These methods are simple, effective and straight forward. This book is the first of a four book series that describes her methods of instruction and classroom management. The book is full of cute illustrations provided by her sister-in-law, Carolyn Smith. There are also numerous photographs of her classroom and bulletin boards, as well as illustrated ideas for projects that can be both instructional and fun. Patty has reviewed the book with principals, school superintendants and an instructor at Northern Arizona University. All believed that it is an excellent and practical book for beginning teachers.

Patty Nelson is a retired teacher and for the last 18 years of her career, taught kindergarten in Sedona, Arizona. She graduated from Kansas State University in 1962 and began her teaching career in Ogden, Kansas while her husband finished his degree in Architecture. Upon his graduation they moved to Santa Ana, California where she taught 5th grade until they started their family. When their two children started to school she resumed her teaching career in Irvine, California as a first grade teacher. In 1981 they moved to Sedona, Arizona where she taught in a Christian School for one year before beginning her 18 years as a kindergarten teacher. Her reputation grew and parents continually requested that their child be put in her class. When a new school was started in Sedona, her principal requested that she accompany him as the kindergarten teacher. Patty truly enjoyed her teaching career and loved setting the stage for her students, many of them who have graduated from high school and college still write to her.